Meer Ahsan Habib

Meer Ahsan Habib is an IVLP and Hubert Humphrey fellow. His X handle is @meeriyadh

A legal but illegitimate election will not serve the people

Legitimacy is all about inclusion and participation of voters and parties, and how people view the election. 

Navigating biases, power dynamics and media integrity

A closer examination reveals the existence of substantial limitations to freedom of expression in Bangladesh.

DSA and the quest for an obliged press

A free and independent press is essential for any democratic society, and journalists must be allowed to report on issues of public interest without fear of retaliation or censorship.

Without support from bureaucracy, EC can’t hold fair elections

Even if the outcome seems predetermined, it is essential to exercise the right to vote and make one's voice heard.

How is shrinking media space affecting our democracy?

The media is often considered to be the fourth pillar of a democracy—while the other three pillars are the legislature, executive and judiciary.

Declining trust in democratic institutions

The Chief Election Commissioner of the Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) has made it clear that we have an electoral system that is in many ways performing better than that of the United States.

Why do we have to take to the streets for justice?

Eleven people have so far been arrested in connection with the Noakhali gang rape. Most of the suspects were arrested within days after the video of the heinous crime landed on social media.

Regent and JKG scams: Is this the face of a new normal in healthcare?

Installed on the boundary wall of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) located at the ever-busy Gulshan-Mohakhali Link road, the illuminating electric signboard reads “Healthcare will leap several steps forward in the Mujib Year”.

May 23, 2020
May 23, 2020

For Whom the Bell Tolls

Bidyanondo Foundation has become quite a household name in recent days.

April 7, 2020
April 7, 2020

Online Exclusive: Will Covid-19 lead to a novel road of economic thinking?

Never before in the known history of human civilisation has the state agreed to pay the wages of those at risk of losing their jobs. Never before have they ordered social distancing.

February 12, 2020
February 12, 2020

Coronavirus and the deadly cost of state censorship

From its epicentre in China’s Wuhan, the deadly novel coronavirus has spread across the globe at tremendous speed, taking a heavy toll on human life.

January 18, 2020
January 18, 2020

Localised Digital Service Tax: Points to ponder

Global trade is being disrupted by the tax disputes over technology giants who mostly operate from Silicon Valley.

January 11, 2020
January 11, 2020

Taxing the technology giants

There is little doubt that technology will drive everything in the coming days. The developed world is witnessing an artificial intelligence-driven transformation of technology, earlier than us—but we are also embracing it.

November 2, 2019
November 2, 2019

Muzzle me not, no impunity

Each year journalists, news media and supporters of free and independent journalism across the world celebrate November 2 as a red-letter day for journalism.

October 12, 2019
October 12, 2019

Abrar killing: When democracy fails to deliver

The beauty of democracy is that it provides space to anyone; irrespective of the social or economic status of a person they can assume power and with it can do an enormous number of good things that can benefit the society as a whole. But it has a dark side as well:

February 15, 2019
February 15, 2019

Good governance: How the media and the public see it

The world at present is encountering remarkable challenges in promoting governance, democracy, transparency, press freedom and

November 23, 2017
November 23, 2017

Forcing internet giants to pay tax

If the influence of Google and Facebook continues to grow at this pace and regulators let them get away without giving a fair share of their income to the regulators and publishers, we will be digging our own grave.

October 1, 2017
October 1, 2017

A victim of an ugly conspiracy?

The judicial probe report by the chief judicial magistrate of Dhaka was submitted before the same court in January this year. While we are still waiting to know its contents, we cannot help but feel dismayed by the outcome of this case.

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